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Class 
Book 



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Copyright If. 






COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



VERSES 



By 
ARMITAGE T. LIVINGSTON 



Philadelphia 
1915 












; 



•nK 






Copyright, 1915 
ARMITAGE T LIVINGSTON 



DEC 30 1915 



&GLA420113 
'Us* J * 



DEDICATED TO 
A. E. DuP. 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/versesOOIivi 



VERSES 



TO A FRIEND 

In mountains where the truth of life was found 
Within the heart of Nature — and the glow 

Of evening drew the shadows to the ground — 
We met in friendship's realm — the realm to know. 

The years have blessed my life with happy days, 
Each one a deeper spring, a deeper breath. 

This Easter morn I'll raise my heart in praise, 
And wish that we'll be friends e'en after death. 



VERSES 



RETROSPECT 

In the morning, when the sunshine 
Cast its golden spell on earth, 

All the world seemed bright and cheerful, 
Brimming o'er with happy mirth. 

Then behind the hills of knowledge 
Crept a cloud which threatened rain, 

Passed the sun and darkened nature — 
Speeding on in doubt again. 

In the evening, when the raindrops 

Fell in silence from above, 
All the joys of morning sunshine 

Vanished — with a shattered love. 



VERSES 



THE FROGS 

When shadows cast their spell around 
Among the woods and o'er the ground 

Beneath the smile of spring, 
And little stars all blink their eyes, 
And whisper to the evening skies, 

The frogs begin to sing. 

From every marsh and every bog, 
The little brook and mossy log, 

Deep in the forest's lair, 
Like sleighbells tinkling through the night, 
Midst frosty glade and silver light, 

We hear their evening prayer. 



VERSES 



A THOUGHT 

Were every thought a tiny star 
Above thee, dear, at night, 

My love for thee would be proclaimed 
Amidst a world of light. 



A BENEDICTION 

The sun has kissed the skies good-by 

With loving, tender care; 
And to the earth the afterglow 

Conveys his evening prayer. 



VERSES 



DESPAIR 

Fair summer days and a hope beyond 

The amethyst shades of eve, 
Hope upheld by the promise of dawn 

When night and her tribute leave. 

The world in sorrow, the world in need— 

Ah, heart, it is all in vain! 
For love once lost in the anguish of years 

Will never return again. 



10 VERSES 



MEMORY 

Like sunset colors in the sky 
Are thoughts of bygone days; 

A memory in the evening clouds 
And through the dying rays. 

I stretch my hands in vain appeal 
Out towards the glowing west; 

But twilight creeps into my heart 
And whispers: God knows best. 



VERSES 11 



MY WONDER 

Wonder why we always long for things we haven't 

got? 
Wonder why some folks is thinkin' theirs a sorry 

lot? 
Ain't there sunshine here by day? 
Ain't there stars at night? 
Ain't there little birds whose songs tell us life is 

bright ? 

Let us try to think some day we'll have our laugh 

and fun, 
Then we'll say a prayer of thanks for all the work 

we've done. 
Ain't my meanin' clear to you? 
Ain't you goin' to try? 
If you do, I'm sure you'll find a rainbow in the sky. 



12 VERSES 



PERCHANCE 

Perchance the strains of a little song, 

The song of a little bird, 
May bring the tears to a lonely heart, 

The heart that alone has heard. 

Perchance the fragrance of burning leaves, 

Outside, on an autumn day, 
May bring a pang to the lonely heart 

For someone now far away. 

Perchance the sunlight upon the fields 

Or wonderful sea of blue, 
May bring a prayer to the lonely heart — 

God's blessing for you, for you! 



VERSES 13 



TEARS 

A little hope, a happy day, 
A little dream of love; 

A little hour to kneel and pray 
For blessings from above. 

A little pang, a piercing dart, 
A little breath of fear; 

A little cry, a broken heart, 
And then — a little tear. 



14 VERSES 



AN EVENING THOUGHT 

The mountains call at the close of day, 
When shadows are dim and the trees are gray 

In the mists of afterglow. 
And fairies dance 'neath the summer moon 
In forests old, to the whispering tune 

Of the breezes soft and low. 



TO 



Into the dawn of another day 
A soul passed out in the night — 

Leaving the world in a mist of gray 
And tears for the vanished light. 

We grieve and mourn for the days of yore, 
Forgetting our Father's love! 

Oh, know you not she has gone before 
To welcome you there above? 



VERSES 15 



THE VISITOR 

A little thought is knocking at my heart, 
And begs to have me set it, captive, free; 

But ah, for years we have not been apart! 
That little thought has been the world to me. 

Remembrance is its name, and sweet the day 
It crept into my heart; and now the pain 

And throbbing void which bids Remembrance 
stay, 
Makes life with all its future hope in vain. 



WHISPERINGS 

From out the past I heard a sound — 

A whispering soft and low. 
Like shadows flitting o'er the ground, 
Where silence breathes in peace profound, 
The whispering cast its spell around 

The golden long ago. 



16 VERSES 



IMAGINATION 

Over the world I went one day, 

Over the hills and sea — 
Out to the mountains, lakes and streams, 

And you came back to me ! 

Deep in the silence of the wood 

I heard your voice again. 
With trembling heart I journeyed on, 

But ah! 'twas all in vain. 

Your voice grew fainter, then it died. 

The echo lingered long 
Among the hills, and in my heart 

'Twill be an endless song. 



VERSES 17 



THE CITY 

From out the city rose a cry of pain 

From hearts of those who sought their creeds in 

vain; 
Who stumbled on their way with bruised feet, 
And sought for shelter in each winding street. 

But ah! no hand to save them in the crowd 
Of passing toilers with their manners proud; 
No heart to hear the sad and lonely cries 
Or heed the falling tears and careworn sighs. 



18 VERSES 



A SEA SKETCH 

Beneath the ocean throb the hearts 
Of waves, both great and small ; 

And o'er the blue and trackless sea 
Their pulses rise and fall. 

A lonely seagull soars above 

In silent, graceful flight, 
And in the west, the evening clouds 

Bid tribute to the night. 



VERSES 19 



ECHO 

We stood on a hill and cried, "Yo ho!" 

The close of a summer day, 
While the purple hills, the rocks and rills, 

Repeated it, far away. 

I stood on the hill in later years, 

Alone, 'neath an azure sky ; 
I called to the hills, the rocks and rills— 

The distance echoed, "Good-by!" 



20 VERSES 



A SONG 

Like the breath of God is the evening wind 
Which blows from the dreaming plain; 

Like the touch of His hand, so soft and kind 
Are the drops of the falling rain. 

And the warmth of the sun — ah ! blessed sun — 

And the peace of the starlit night, 
Should fashion our souls when our lives are done 

For the land of eternal light. 



VERSES 21 



SHADOWS 

Wearily, wearily, 'round the world 
The shadows of memory fly — 

Drearily, dreadily, wings outspread, 
'Neath the moon in a starlit sky. 

Drearily, drearily, 'round the world, 
'Mid the veil of descending tears— 

Wearily, wearily, through the mists 
In the valley of long-lost years. 



22 VERSES 



THE CARDINAL BIRD 

A flash of red from the forest trees — 
A spark from the dying sun — 

This little bird with his crested head 
I saw when the day was done. 

High on a branch near the evening sky, 
He sang to the earth below — 

The happy song of that little heart 
Remained — in the afterglow. 



MISTS 

Like mists upon the distant hills 
Are hopes for future years — 

They rest awhile to tempt our smile, 
Then fade in dew-like tears! 



VERSES 23 



THERE IS 

There's a country road a-winding 'neath the elm 

trees in the hills, 
And a summer sky a-smiling on the rocks and on 
the rills; 

And a little brook is smiling 
In a manner most beguiling 
To the willow trees and orchards where the song 
of nature thrills. 

There's a lonely heart a-dreaming of the starlight 

and the haze 
On the purple hills at twilight, at the close of 
autumn days. 

And the smell of leaves a-burning 
Lends the heart a pang of yearning 
For the past and for the golden glow of childhood's 
sunny rays. 



24 VERSES 



THE BROWNIES 

Upon a shelf there's a row of books, 

Dusty and worn, each page 
Marked by the fingers of baby hands 

And stained with the breath of age. 

Brownies are there, with their old-time pranks, 

And nobody joins their game; 
They play alone on the old bookshelf, 

For years are never the same. 

Brownies are old, but their hearts are bright 

As gold in a fair sunbeam; 
But the baby heart, and the baby soul, 

Found youth was merely a dream. 



VERSES 25 



TO B. U. L„, 



in 



A little heart has come to me 

From out the skies where angels live, 
A heart quite pure and sensitive; 

And now to God I make this plea, 
In fervent prayer and humble mien, 
For future hopes and things unseen: 

'This little soul, dear God, is mine 
To cherish in this world of ours, 
And nurture as Thy precious flowers 

'Mid rain and golden summer shine. 
I ask Thee, God, to hear my prayer, 
And bless my baby with Thy care. 

'Direct his footsteps in this life 

Through happy fields and ways secure; 

A loving heart and instincts pure, 
Devoid of evil thoughts and strife, 

His eyes upraised to Thee above, 

And strengthened by the mother love." 



26 VERSES 



THE PATH 



A little path through a meadow wound, 

And whispered to the flowers: 
'I love the grass and I love the ground, 

Oh, golden are my hours ! 
I wander east and I wander west, 

With never a thought for care; 
I climb the hills to the mountain crest, 

To homes of Whither and Where, 
And down again on the other side 

I plunge in thicket of fern, 
Deep in the shade where the stream runs wide, 

Away from the world's concern. 
On, on I go through the fields of maize, 

Through fields of glimmering wheat, 
Through pastures fair in the sun's last rays, 

Where lambs and their mothers bleat. 
Good-night to the world and all its wrongs — 

The peace of the starlit sky, 
The drowsy hum of the cricket's song, 

As I go wandering by." 

JiC H« * * * 

The path was bathed in the moon's soft light, 

Creeping away to the dawn, 
Away to the east, from the land of night 

To sunrise of early morn. 



VERSES 27 



THE HILLS 

My heart is in the mountains, dear, 'mid sylvan 
rock and glade, 
Where forest trees are whispering to the blue; 
Where waterfalls are rainbows when the sunlight 
colors fade, 
And hillsides sparkle in the morning dew. 

My love is in the mountains, dear, untouched by 
grief or care — 
Unknowing fear and innocent of wrong. 
The sunset offers sanction, and the wood-thrush 
lends his prayer, 
To God alone, in ecstasy of song. 

My soul is in the mountains, dear, in Paradise it 
seems ; 
But ah ! the gray mists gather o'er the lea, 
And shadows creep along the hills, obscuring all 
the dreams 
Of mountain life, which is so dear to me. 



28 VERSES 



THE SEASONS 

SPRING 

There are roads which wind through the waking 
world, 

Where woods are fragrant and wild 
With the breath of youth, and the touch of truth, 

And soul of a happy child. 

SUMMER 

There are roads which wind underneath the grass 

And weeds in meadow and glade — 
Little roads unseen, where no man hath been, 

In realms of sunlight and shade. 

AUTUMN 

There are roads which lead to the purple hills, 

And west to the setting sun — 
'Neath an autumn sky, where the blackbirds fly 

And the summer days are done. 

WINTER 

There are roads which lead to the trackless snow — 

Oh, song of a winter day! 
For the brooklets sing, and the sleighbells ring, 

As the roads wind on their way. 



VERSES 29 



CANADIAN SNOW STORM 

The priests offer prayers to ashen skies 

From whence the snowflakes fall to garb the 
earth 
In raiment pure and spotless as the love 

Which prompted our dear Lord to give them 
birth. 



WAGNER 

Hark! down the ages of the world, 

Where Mystery lurks and hearts enthrall, 

Where Pathos dwells with Joy unfurled, 
The Nibelung's strains forever call. 

Afar, they stir the soul to life, 
Awakening every sense within — 

The power of Love, the ways of Strife, 
Upholding Passion, lending Sin. 

Oh, wondrous music! Wagner's heart 
Portrayed in Sorrow, Grief and Smile, 

Death claimed, and though we're far apart, 
His spirit breathes with us awhile. 



30 VERSES 



REGRETS 

Regrets come creeping to the heart at eve, 
When Silence wraps her arms around 

The world, and words unspoken bring the tears 
To eyes whose vision Sorrow found. 

Aye, sorrow for the spoken words to those 
Whom life holds dearest — and we crave 

Forgiveness, that the future may be spent 
In gently laying Memory in the grave. 



VERSES 31 



DEARIE DEAR 

On the crest of a hill, oh Dearie Dear, 

We laughed at the world below; 
And the sparkling lake and the nodding trees 

Were friends whom we both did know. 

And our hearts were both young, oh Dearie Dear, 

Though yours on a loving quest, 
Fighting alone in the battle of hope, 

With never a moment's rest. 

Then you lost your battle, oh Dearie Dear, 

The fortress you could not hold! 
Your heart was all shattered, and Dearie Dear, 

My heart is forever old. 



32 VERSES 



A DEDICATION 

You asked for love, I gave mine in return, 

And praised the world in accents soft and low; 

The sunrise kissed the earth in morning prayer, 
And Nature smiled her gratitude below. 

The river sang of promises fulfilled, 

And soothed the hearts whose faith had long since 
died. 
The forests stretched their branches toward the sky, 

Wherein their solace and their peace abide. 

The sunset, when the evening shadows fell, 
Bore slumbers to the birds from out the west, 

And 'neath each tiny wing a feathered head 
Crept, from a day of singing, into rest. 

The stars at night expressed in their sweet way 
The constant, watchful care of Him above, 

And blessed the hours sent us which we lived 
In perfect harmony and holy love. 



VERSES 33 



FATE 

"Oh yesterday, oh yesterday, your barque has gone 

to sea; 
Today is here — tomorrow comes — what will it 

bring to me? 
Bright sunlit skies? Wind-driven clouds? Or 

silver tears of rain?" 

"Your life has gone with yesterday, and naught 
but tears remain." 



34 VERSES 



AN AFTERVIEW 

The sad gray sands and the sad gray sea; 

The moaning of restless waves — 
A tearful glance and a heartfelt sigh 

For those in their ocean graves. 

A sudden light from the drifting clouds, 

An echo from Heav'n above 
To cheer the world and its lonely thoughts, 

The gift of a Father's love. 
The sands are golden, the sea is bright; 

A pathway lies o'er the waves — 
Golden and hopeful — -the answered prayers 

Of those in their ocean graves. 



VERSES 35 



HOPE 

Far away, Little Girl, in the future beyond 

The portals of life's ebbing day, 
We will bless and remember the joys that are gone 

With time and the memories of play. 

For our youth, Little Girl, bids us all a farewell 

When flowers are faded and sere, 
And the garden of childhood is buried in leaves 

Which fall at the close of each year. 

So be brave, Little Girl, for the garden is old — 
Our tears have been dewdrops and rain 

But to nurture the flowers and strengthen the faith 
In promise of springtime again. 



36 VERSES 



THE LOST SMILE 

Youth breathed good-by to me one summer night, 

And asked a token, that I might remain 
Within his mem'ry till the morning light, 
But not retain. 

I gave the best I had — a happy smile — 

And said, "Auf wiedersehen, until the dawn." 
But youth had many methods to beguile — 
My smile has gone ! 



VERSES 37 



THE LITTLE RED HOUSE 

Up in the hills there's a little red house, 
A little red house by the maple trees; 

And right on a hill, 

Where the world is still, 
The little red house is kissed by the breeze. 

A row of elms by the little red house 

Are whispering their secrets to all that pass. 

'Neath an autumn sky, 

Where the blackbirds fly, 
The little red house dreams on in the grass. 

Oh, would I could fly to the little red house, 
Up there in the hills where my heart will stay 

Unfettered, nor bound 

By the city's sound, 
To the little red house so far away. 



38 VERSES 



A BABY'S SMILE 

Two eyes upturned in love, 

Ah! wait awhile — 
'Tis but a glimpse of Heav'n, 

My baby's smile! 



TO B. U. L., In 

Little clouds up in the sky, 
Shadows flitting below, 

Sunshine fairies in the fields, 
Where the flowers grow. 

Baby lambkins on the hills, 
Playing in the dew, 

Little birdies on the trees, 
Singing songs for you! 



VERSES 39 



DREAMS 

The dawn brings solace to my lonely heart ; 

For, lying half awake, the yester-dreams 
Come wandering through the lanes where shadows 
part 

Their garlands to the myriad sunrise gleams. 

They drift before my vision and then fade 

Into the utter silence of the air. 
Oh, would the Land of Dreams from whence they 
strayed 

Permit the powers of daylight hold them there! 



40 VERSES 



TWO DAWNS 

The dawn when mist lies softly on the hills, 
Where dewdrops glisten in the fields like rain, 

And silence whispers summons to the trills 
Of early songsters with their sweet refrain. 

The dawn when heart expectant gently dreams 
Of Heav'n within a baby's wondrous eyes, 

And waits the sunrise with its golden beams 
To bring the precious burden from the skies. 



VERSES 41 



SHADES 

When the shadows 'gin to fall, 

And the crickets 'gin to call, 
In the meadows, where the little lambs are bleating ; 

And the sunset gilds the trees, 

To the sighing of the breeze, 
As it sings to tell the world that life is fleeting; 

When the shadows 'gin to fall, 

And the crickets 'gin to call, 
O'er the hills where memory's tears like dew are 
lying, 

We stretch forth our hands and pray 

For the breath of one lost day, 
But the night wind tells the world that life is dying. 



42 VERSES 



ONCE MORE 

If I might wander down the years 

In valley cool and green, 
Where sunrise kissed the mountain tops 

In reverence, world-wide seen— 
I'd search the world both near and far 

For souls that once have been. 

O Life, who lends no turning back 

To one fair day of yore — 
If thou wouldst wield thy magic wand, 

And sing the fairy lore — 
One soul would span those sunlit hills, 

And call to me once more. 



VERSES 43 



MEMORIES 

From out a rift of clouds whose whiteness gleamed 
Against the turquoise beauty of the sky, 

There fell a shower of golden light, which seemed 
To bring the peace of Heav'n earthward nigh. 

The purple hills wherein the valleys cool 
Gave utterance to the world in river song, 

Reflected shadows in the forest pool, 
Awakening memories which had slumbered long. 

The sunbeams, gathered close to twilight's breast, 
Bore secrets to the silvery stars of night, 

And through the world of longing and unrest 
Our memories lingered with the morning light. 



44 VERSES 



LULLABIES 

A dreaming field and woodland glade 

In mists of spectral light, 
A lonesome pool where moonbeams strayed 

Among the shades of night. 

And in the treetops silver thoughts 

Were swinging to and fro 
Among the night wind's lullabies 

And songs of long ago. 

The drooping leaves were stirred from sleep 

And rustled in the dark, 
Awakening little forest folk 

And one lone meadow lark, 

Who rose above the sleeping world 

A soul, among the bars 
Of bell-like melody which changed 

The silver thoughts to stars. 



VERSES 45 



THE PATH OF SHADOWS 

The Path of Shadows — whither does it lead? 
Unto the valley lands, or recessed woods 

Wherein the Pipes of Pan are dimly heard? 
Or does it strangely wander through the years 

That vanish — like the swan song of a bird? 



A DEDICATION 

The ways of the world are strange, dear, 
The hours and seconds are fleet; 

The years bring many a change, dear, 
But all time with you is sweet! 

The heavens are often gray, dear, 
The fog is obscure and blind, 

But only when you are away, dear, 
The tears of the world I find. 



46 VERSES 



SUN AND STAR BLOOM 

'Sun-bloom, Star-bloom, have you aught for me 
Hidden in your little hearts, lulled by mystery?" 
Sun-bloom, Star-bloom, never answered me, 
Though I scanned their little hearts, mirrored in 
the sea! 



THE PINE TREE 

O Pine Tree, Pine Tree, what do you see 

Up in the world so high — 
The sky more blue, and the world more true, 

Far up where the blackbirds fly? 

Or do you hear, in the whispering pines, 

The soul of a passing bird, 
Who passed but late with the dying vines 

And the oft unspoken word? 



VERSES 47 



THE WIND 

Was it wind that blew through the cypress tree 
When shadows were silent and gray? 

Or was it a sigh that escaped from me 
And fled toward the light of day? 



TO MELBA 

We know the hush at twilight, the robin's evening 
song, 

The early lark and woodland thrush who cheer our 
hearts along; 

But ah! the hush at twilight thrills in ecstasy 
supreme — 

The early lark and woodland thrush have one deli- 
cious dream — 

When Melba sings. 

We know the heart is breaking for someone far 

away 
Across the sunlit mountains, beyond another day; 
But ah! our souls are meeting across the happy 

Past— 
We feel the hand of Time has stayed the hours we 

longed to last — 

When Melba sings. 



48 VERSES 



UNATTAINABLE 

Caressed by drifting clouds and sun-kissed winds, 
The mountain tops rise dreamily above 

The sheltered valleys and the rushing streams, 
And lose themselves amid the light of love. 

Within the valley, by a shaded rock 

Where sun-kissed winds are never wont to play, 
A lonely tree strives eagerly to reach 

The mountain tops before the break of day. 



VERSES 49 



PERHAPS 

Perhaps beyond the purple hills 

There lies a sea of gold, 
So sparkling bright and filled with light, 

The foam can scarcely hold 
The spray which dashes from the waves 

To meet the sun of old. 

Perhaps beyond that sun of old 

There lies a garden fair, 
Where skylarks sing and bluebells ring 

At time of evening prayer, 
And all regrets we left on earth 

Are birds with plumage rare. 



50 VERSES 



STRIVING 

I strove to reach a glistening star, 
Which graced the twilight sky 

And twinkled in the heights afar, 
Entreating me to fly. 

But ere the sunrise with its glow 
Had warmed the shadows gray, 

The earth ensnared me here below, 
To live another day. 



VERSES 51 



VISIONS 

I looked toward the west at sunset, 
The sky was aflame with light, 

And shadowy clouds had gathered 
To herald approach of night. 

Half closing my eyes, I wondered 
If things are all as they seem; 

The clouds like a row of mountains, 
Were naught but a shattered dream. 



52 VERSES 



DESIRE 

A little path runs east and west 

Along the mountain side, 
Caressed by winds and lichen moss, 

Where little acorns hide. 

I tread not on the eastern path, 

Nor on the western trail; 
For northern voices sing the songs 

Which echo in the vale, 

And urge me climb the gnarled paths 
O'ergrown with roots and briars, 

Far hidden 'neath the prints of time 
And thorns of wild desires. 



VERSES 53 



DESPAIR 

Afar in the woods where the sun was gold 
And the wood-thrush sang his prayer, 

'Mid leafy bough in the forest old — 
Oh, the heart of life was there! 

Now in the town where the world is new 

I walk with a weary tread, 
Alone and sad, for a voice I knew — 

Oh, the heart of life is dead! 



REGAINED 

I lost a song — it ventured from my heart 

And sought the world-wide portals of the dawn; 

But ere the violet raised her dew-wet eyes, 
The lark conveyed my lost notes to the morn. 



54 VERSES 



THE POOL 

In the heart of a forest dim and old, 
Where the sunlight fell in a show'r of gold 

And the birds sang all day long — 
Oh, the joy of life to a dreaming pool 
That lay in the shade of a forest cool 

Was 'kin to the twilight song. 

Now the leaves have changed and the needles 

fall, 
And the memories cling to an old-time call 

Through the wood-smoke and blue haze. 
But the forest pool is a shimmering tear, 
For it misses the leaves it held so dear, 

And the unforgotten days. 



VERSES 55 



THE LARK 

The Lark arose one sunny morn 

Unto the azure sky, 
And from the sun-kissed clouds there fell 

A daylight lullaby. 

Dame Nature smiled and closed her eyes 
One moment while she slept; 

But I, a soul by memory claimed, 
Bowed to the earth and wept. 



56 VERSES 



REMEMBRANCE 

Forget? Ah! lilacs fill the air with thoughts 

Which carry laden messages from you, 
And buttercups reflect the golden rays 

Of sunlight in the meadows wet with dew. 
Each flower recalls a careless day of mirth 

Among the hills, where we were journeying on 
As gypsies, you and I, hand clasped in hand, 

Regardless of the hours swiftly gone. 



VERSES 57 



AFTERMATH 

Oh, gold was the west when the sun went down 

Over a trackless sea, 
And beyond the foam on the sun-kissed waves 

A voice was calling me. 
Then the stars shone out of the darkened skies 

Over the trackless sea, 
And beyond the foam on the moon-bathed waves 

The voice ceased calling me. 



58 VERSES 



A SUPPLICATION 

If I were a little girl again, 

In the blue hills far away, 
With the breath of God across the fields 

At the close of a summer day, 

I'd raise my eyes to the skies above 

And utter a fervent prayer, 
That youth would stay and enfold the years 

With the strength to keep me there. 



VERSES 59 



LILACS 

A lilac-scented lane, 

A spray of gold 
With sunlight on the leaves 

And blossoms old. 

A memory for a time 

Adown the lane, 
Then raindrops on the leaves, 

And shade again. 



60 VERSES 



THE PASSING OF LOVE 

Love came over the hills one day, 
Spreading his golden dreams 

Over the land of shadows gray, 
With restless hidden streams. 

Deep in the woodland fell the mist 
Where leaves obscured the sky, 

And Love gave life to all he kissed- 
But ah! he passed me by. 



VERSES 61 



THE BUTTERCUP MEADOWS 

There's a song in my heart that is singing away 
To the tune of the Past, and a once happy day, 
When cloud shadows drifted and danced in our play, 
Out in the Buttercup Meadows. 

And there's nothing can silence the tune or the song, 
They have throbbed in my heart and my memory 

too long; 
And the chords of remembrance are vibrant and 

strong, 

Out in the Buttercup Meadows. 



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